Country of Origin

• In 2009 the majority of international children adopted in the U.S. were from China, Ethiopia, South Korea and Russia, according to the U.S. Department of State Office of Children's Issues. Countries with international adoption programs have varying eligibility requirements for prospective parents, including age, marital status and health. An agency or international adoption lawyer can help you determine which country is a good fit for you.
  
  

Paperwork

• The next step is to submit an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. An agency or international adoption lawyer can guide you through the paperwork and required forms for both the U.S. and the country from which you are adopting. Both the U.S. and the child's country of origin will review your application.
  
  

Time Frame and Costs

• Expect the time from application to bringing home your child to be about one to four years, with costs averaging $25,000 to $30,000, according to the Adoption Guide from Adoptive Families Magazine. This range is due to the procedures of the child's country of birth as well as your agency's requirements, the U.S. immigration process and the circumstances of a particular adoption.